Jack Fitzwater has spoken of how he feels his loan spells away from West Bromwich Albion in the season of 2017/18 have helped turn him from a ‘boy’ into a ‘man’ and the centre-half is now backing himself to take a first-team place under Darren Moore as we prepare for life back in the Championship this season.
Impressing out in Portugal…@Jackfitz14 ????????????#WBA | ???????? pic.twitter.com/Mw6OYZwPje
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) June 29, 2018
With pre-season well underway and the players heading back to the training ground on Sunday following the end of Portugal training camp, Fitzwater was looking to be another one of the youngsters who makes their mark on the first-team this year as Albion look to rebuild.
Speaking to wba.co.uk with plenty of concern amongst the fanbase given recent developments and lack of developments at the club in recent times, the 20-year-old explain that he felt he was well placed now to stake a claim for a starting spot.
Having come through our Academy and had previous stints at Hednesford Town and Chesterfield, he made a further step up last season taking in more games and scoring goals for Forest Green Rovers and Walsall. He now has over 50 senior appearances to his name and he’s looking for that to continue under Moore.
“I was out on loan at Forest Green and Walsall and I learnt a lot from my time at both clubs last season. I had highs and lows, but I guess that’s what the game of football is all about. At Forest Green I wasn’t a regular in the team. I was more of an in and out player. Then I managed to get a solid of run of games in and I learnt a lot. That probably stood me in good stead for my time at Walsall.”
He went on to speak about his time at Walsall where the pressure was constantly on when it came to results and he felt that has helped him kick on even more and grow mentally as well as physically. His aim for this season is to get his debut and then add as many games as he can to his tally.
Walsall fans are adamant that we should be giving him a shot this year, and West Brom fans are delighted to hear that.
Deserves the chance with you guys next season. Got some right talent on your hands, was very impressed with him last season.
— Dylan (@Dylan_WFC) June 29, 2018
Thanks
— JamieDodgers (@Jamie_Dodgers_) June 29, 2018
Please look after him. We WFC fans love him.
— Karen Thacker (@KarenThacker11) June 29, 2018
happy to see the youngsters enjoying themselves, get rid of all these big ego players who don't want to be here and use these young, hungry players who do
— Ralphy (@RalphyRamone) June 29, 2018
Good to know jack, looks like we’ll be relying on you youngsters stepping up this season ????
— Damien Conway (@DamoWBA) June 29, 2018
What a guy
— James Morgan (@wfcjm) June 29, 2018
Deserves his chance in the side purely for being there. Dawson couldn't be bothered.
— Andrew Hood (@andyhood0) June 30, 2018
All I’m seeing from the wba page is posts about the youth training in Portugal, is our squad actually that thin? ????
— Nath???????????????????????????? (@NateOJackson) June 30, 2018